Plants for Pots that need little watering

Hi there

Does anyone have any recommendations for plants which I can grow in containers which need very little (or no!) watering. I have a problem in that we are often away for several days at a time and when we are away the plants in the pots don't get watered and often die. I'd love to plant a few up with something that will survive even if I'm not there to water them.

Any suggestions very welcome

FJ

 

I think lavender and rosemary are ok in quite dry conditions.

 

alpines would work or any succulent

or any plant that is drought tolerant altho they would have to be established first

 

thanks for replies - I'm looking for some colour really so lavender would work. I'm not very good at knowing what's an alpine - would something like rock roses work (I'm not sure if they are classed as alpines or not?) or would they need a lot of water?

 

here is a search for drought tolerant and for containers

https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/Searc...type%2Fpatio+%26+container+plants&unwind=true

 

this rock rose



is a shrub

but arabis rock cress is an alpine

 

Aah thanks I was thinking of the shrub type as they are so pretty

 

Palms,cycads,agaves,yukkas spring to mind. Mnd you most flowers will be fine if you add water crystals to the mix and or sit them in deep saucers.

 

they might be find i dont know what they are like growing in a pot it may have to be a large one

but they do like dry poor quality soil so they are happy with dry conditions aparently

 

One bedding plant that does well ,with just occasional watering, is the fibrous rooted begonia.

They perk up very quickly once watered.

I've left them in a trough, in mid summer, for over a week with no water and they just stop growing.

 

Hi FJ,

Have you thought of coloured leaf plants. I have a Heuchera Big Top Bronze. It has been in a 10" pot now for about 4 years and is doing brilliantly, even though it'd hardly ever watered.

If you go for the darker or purple leaved varieties they tend to do well in dryer conditions.

 

Thanks Anthony - I have a dark purple heuchera now you mention it and it has thrived despite my neglect! Trip to the nursery tomorrow to see what I can find - will go for several of the suggestions above and see what survives

 

sedums would work as well. this one is my fav

https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/details?plantid=4129

 

I often leave pelargoniums and fibrous rooted begonias for over a week and they survive remarkably well.